We sure love our daddy...a special message from Lincoln and Jackson

We have the best daddy in the world. 
He helps take care of us - feeding us dinner (we love fish stick and maccaroni and cheese night, and other than the "imaginary pudding" that we make, Daddy's pudding is the best!), helping with bath time, and saying prayers before bed.

He is always in our hearts and thoughts, and often times on our tongues too (Da-da-da-da-da-da).
Thanks for being such a wonderful daddy!
Love,
Lincoln and Jackson

Daddy -
I love you because you play with me and make me laugh. 

I know you love me too- just look at the big smile on your face!
I'm sorry when I upset you and make you yell, and am trying hard to be more patient. 
Love, Jackson


Daddy -
I love you because you read me stories....over and over and over.

You always let me decide when it's "the end", and you always make the story fun.
I can't wait to read stories to you some day!
Love, Lincoln

Feeding themselves...

Over the past few weeks, we've had several people ask us what "new" things the boys are doing, and even more specifically, if they are feeding themselves yet.  The first few times, we said "Of course they are feeding themselves.  We put food on their trays, and they eat it.  They have been doing it for quite a while now."  Then, people would ask if they are using silverware, and we were dumbfounded.  We hadn't really given silverware much thought, but why not try it, right?

First, we tried applesauce...

As you can see, Lincoln didn't quite grasp the concept.  He decided it was easier to hold the spoon in one hand, and then dig the other hand into the applesauce.

Jackson did quite well!  He was able to get applesauce on the spoon and put it in his mouth.  However, he got frustrated, decided he was finished, and the bowl went flying across the kitchen.  Luckily, there wasn't much applesauce left in it.  :-)

Being the good parents that we are (please TRY to contain your laughter), we know that practice makes perfect, so we tried spoons again the next night - with chocolate pudding. 

Although this picture doesn't look like it, Lincoln did better the second night.  He would get pudding on the spoon but kept turning the spoon over once he got near his mouth (which is why the pudding is all over his nose).  After a while, he went back to his old ways.

Jackson really liked the puddng, and figured out if he picked the bowl up, he could scrape more out. 

Surprisingly, neither of the boys tried to lick the bowl!  I was a bit disappointed, but maybe next time...

Hope you all enjoy the pictures, and be thankful you don't have to clean up the mess!

Large Tots here we come!

Hi Everyone -
The boys have been visiting large tots for a few weeks now.  The plan is to have them visit this week (so they spend most of the day there, but not all of the day), then they will be officially transitioning on Monday!
This is a BIG move for the boys.

1. No more highchairs - they sit in booster seats at tables to have their lunch and snacks
2. No more cribs - they take their naps on cots
3. More cool toys/playtime - the Large Tot room has a lot of riding toys, and the boys also get to go outside and play

The caregivers in the Large Tot room are excited to have the boys join them.  They keep telling us that they are ready, but I wonder if they really know what they are in for!  Yesterday's report card indicated Lincoln was playing with mulch in the outside play area, and he rubbed it on his face and scratched himself.  I expect a lot of notes!

The boys really are growing up so quickly!  What happened to my babies?

Hope everyone has a great day!
Love,
Kate, Brian, Lincoln and Jackson

Travels and Visits...

We escaped traveling a lot this winter, but now it's spring so it's time to hit the road!

Brian was off work on Monday 4-4 to spend some time in Fort Recovery taking care of things for his mom.  He also attended an appreciation banquet at the Neurological Center.  Janice was invited to be a guest speaker.  She talked about about her struggles over the past several years, and how the Center has been of great assistance to her recovery.  Brian was quite proud of her, and thankful that he went to the dinner.

The next weekend we headed to Toledo to attend Lyn and RJ's Relay for Life Euchre Tournament.  We had a great time seeing friends and family.  We didn't win the tournament, but a lot of money was raised for our upcoming June Relay event.

This past weekend, Brian headed back to Toledo after work on Friday night.  He and a few friends went to see a Poison and Motley Crue tribute band.  On Saturday, he spent some time with The Wagner's, and couldn't stop talking about his Goddaughter Ashely when he arrived home.  Brian went to her swim class, and he was very impressed with how comfortable she was in the water.  She's growing up fast - can't believe she will be 4 next month!

This coming weekend, we will be traveling to spend time with both families for Easter.  We hope the Easter Bunny is good to everyone!

Love,
Kate, Brian, Lincoln, and Jackson

...A new car!!!

Last Friday (4-8), Brian and I purchased a (new to us) 2010 Honda Odyssey Van!

With the boys being sick so much this winter, we realized having only one car with car seats was a bit inconvenient.  On days where one of the boys needed to stay home, we played musical vehicles - taking the healthy boy to daycare, then going back to the house to leave the Envoy for whoever was staying home with the sick one. 

So, we started looking a few weeks ago at our options...another SUV, Brian's Silverado, or the practical minivan.  We talked several times about the pros and cons of each, and in the end, the van had more pros than cons.  It has more space, easier access with automatic opening doors, the sliding door makes it easier for getting little ones in and out in our tight garage, and better fuel milage.  The only downside is that it doesn't have four wheel drive. 

We found a gently used blue 2010 Odyssey at the dealership just down the road.  After driving it (and being surprised how well it handles), we decided it was time to purchase a second family friendly vehicle.  So, we negotiated, and made the deal. 

Unfortunately, its been sitting in the garage since we bought it, as we didn't have car seats for it.  However, we took care of that yesterday, so it will be our primary vehicle now.  We'll still drive my truck a time or two each week, just to keep it running and in good shape.  Hopefully we can nurse my truck along for a few more years, then we will buy Brian his beloved Silverado.

We'll post pictures of our new van soon!

Boys will be boys...

With warmer weather, comes more play time outside.
We were out in the garage on Wednesday (4-6).  I was holding Lincoln, but Jackson was smiling ear to ear enjoying being outside, and exploring new territory.  Unfortunately, he got a bit too excited and did a faceplant onto the cement.  There was blood instantly, which very quickly ended up on my creamy white sweater, and lots of tears. 
Obviously, he fell pretty hard and bonked his nose.  After cleaning him up, I assessed the damage.  His pupils seemed fine, so we gave him some Tylenol for his discomfort.  He had a small ring near the end of his nose, from where he obviously smooshed it.  There wasn't anything near the bridge of his nose, so I assumed that he had just hit the tip pretty hard, and there was no need to take him to urgent care.
I thought the fall would slow him down a bit, but an hour after the incident, he was standing on top of his "dinosaur" and Lincoln was starting to push him around.  NO FEAR!
We checked Jackson's nose Thursday morning, and it didn't look as bad as we thought it might.  We gave him some Tylenol again for the discomfort and sent him to daycare (along with a note regarding what had happened). When we picked him up that night, one of his caregivers told us that Jackson had scared her.  She hadn't seen the note, and he seemed fine, then later he was all bruised and swollen.  She thought something had happened at daycare, and she didn't know it.  His nose was extremely bruised and swelled near the bridge.  Daycare indicated they thought he might have broken his nose.
It was already "after-hours" for the doctor, so I waited to call the doctor on Friday morning.  I described things to the nurse, and she talked to the doctor.  Since it didn't appear to be crooked, and I didn't feel any major bumps, they indicated we should continue to watch and monitor him.  At his age, they usually don't do anything for a broken nose.
We expected things to get worse, but they actually didn't, so we aren't sure if he broke his nose or not.  Guess time will tell!
Here are a few pictures...his face is messy, but you can definitely see the bruising!

April Special Dates

Birthdays:

• April 1 - Barb Miller, Bowen Reed turns 1
• April 5 - Jennifer Ginter turns 39
• April 10 - Lyn Willinger turns 34, Steve Ginter turns 41
• April 11 - Lori Hart turns 23
• April 18 - Marcy (Bruner) Wyldes turns 36
• April 22 - Tyler Lentz turns 23

Anniversaries:

• April 22 - Joe and Rachelle Young - 16 years